Healthcare Policy Analyst

About the role

Are you a creative thinker who enjoys digging into healthcare policy, researching emerging ideas, and figuring out what they could mean for a large health system? MaineHealth is looking for a Healthcare Policy Analyst who can take complex health policy information and turn it into practical insights for organizational leaders. We’re looking for someone who is intellectually curious, enjoys research, and can think beyond the numbers to understand the bigger picture of how healthcare policy and financing decisions could affect MaineHealth. In this role, you’ll regularly research the work of health policy organizations, think tanks, government agencies, and other influential groups to identify emerging policies, recommendations, payment models, and regulatory changes. You’ll review the research and data behind those ideas, evaluate their potential financial and operational impact on MaineHealth, and translate what you find into clear, actionable information for leadership, advocacy, planning, and stakeholder discussions.

Responsibilities

• Research and track national and state policy proposals developed by thinktanks and state and federal government.
• Analyze federal and state health policy proposals promoted by government or thinktanks that would affect hospital and health system financing, including payment models, rate regulation, and cost containment initiatives.
• Working with the MaineHealth financial team, evaluate the financial impact of identified policy proposals on the organization and the broader health care system.
• Conduct modeling and scenario analysis related to reimbursement changes, cost growth caps, and alternative payment models.
• Interpret and summarize complex health care finance data, including Medicare, Medicaid, and commercial payer payment structures.
• Support organizational strategy and advocacy by providing data-driven insights on issues related to cost and access of health care.
• Prepare policy briefs, white papers, and executive summaries for senior leadership.
• Develop talking points, testimony, and analytical materials for legislative and regulatory engagement.
• Monitor emerging trends in policies related to health care costs.
• Analyze public datasets and financial reports from sources such as CMS, state agencies, health policy organizations, and industry publications.
• Benchmark organizational performance and financial indicators against state and national trends.
• Develop visualizations and dashboards to support policy communication and decision-making.
• Collaborate with finance and strategy/planning to assess policy implications.
• Engage with external stakeholders including trade associations, policymakers, and advocacy partners.
• Support coalition-building efforts around policy priorities related to health care affordability and access.

Requirements

• Education: Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred (MBA, MPA, MBP, or similar).
• Experience: Three to seven years of experience in health policy, health care finance, payment policy, or related analytical roles. Experience analyzing Medicare, Medicaid, or commercial payer reimbursement policies strongly preferred. Experience working in a health system, consulting firm, accounting firm, government agency, think tank, or policy organization preferred.
• Strong understanding of health care payment systems, including Medicare prospective payment systems, Medicaid financing, and commercial reimbursement.
• Familiarity with health care cost drivers, hospital finance, and payment reform models.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency with analytical tools such as Excel, statistical software, or data visualization platforms.

Benefits

• Paid parental leave
• Flexible work options
• Student loan assistance
• Professional development opportunities
• Well‑being resources
• Recognition programs
• Career growth opportunities
• Shift differentials or other incentives (where applicable)

Pay

The pay range for this position is $71,448.00 to $96,636.80 per year.